How to quickly and safely drop data from iPhone to Xiaomi: all ways 2026

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer all the important data: photos, contacts, messages and even notes. Many users fear this process, considering it difficult or risky. In fact, transferring data between iOS and MIUI can be done in 10 to 30 minutes, if you choose the right method.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi, from standard tools (Move to iOS and Mi Mover) to universal solutions like cloud services and physical cable connection. Particular attention will be paid to preserving photo / video quality, synchronizing contacts and porting applications (including WhatsApp and Telegram), and you will learn what data can not be transferred directly and how to circumvent this limitation.

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Preparation for data transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start transferring files, follow the mandatory preparatory steps – this will save time and prevent data loss.

On the iPhone:

• 🔋 Charge the device to at least 50% – the process can take up to an hour.
• 🔄 Update iOS to the latest version through Settings → Mainstream → Update: Older versions may not support modern transmission protocols.
• 📱 Make sure your iPhone has power saving mode turned off (it can interrupt transmission).
• 🔒 Turn off Find My iPhone in Settings → [Your name] → Finding an iPhone is a requirement for some transfer methods.

On Xiaomi:

• 📦 Free up at least 10-15 GB of memory – data from the iPhone can take up a lot of space.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Update version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you plan to use cloud services or Mi Mover).
• 🔌 Prepare the cable. USB-C/Lightning (If you're going to carry data over the wire).

⚠️ Note: If you use iCloud for backup, make sure you have enough space on your account. The free rate only provides 5GB, which is only enough for contacts and notes.

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Method 1: Official Mi Mover appendix (recommended method)

Mi Mover is a proprietary tool from Xiaomi that is optimized for transferring data from iPhone to devices running MIUI. It supports transfer:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and avatars)
• 📷 Photos and videos (without loss of quality)
• 💬 Communications (SMS and iMessage - partly)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 🎵 Music and documents

How to use Mi Mover:

1. Download the Mi Mover app from the App Store on your iPhone.
2. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Memory → Mi Mover (or find it through the Settings search).
3. Select the option I am the sender on the iPhone and I am the receiver on Xiaomi.
4. Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi using the iPhone.
5. Select data types to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

The speed of transmission depends on the volume of data and the stability of the connection, an average of 10 GB of data is transferred in 20-40 minutes.

Install Mi Mover on iPhone| Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network | Charge devices to at least 50% | Free up space on Xiaomi | Disable Find My iPhone-->

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Mover is stuck in the connection phase, try restarting the app on both devices and repeating the scan. QR-Also check if the firewall is blocking or VPN linkage.

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Method 2: Cloud services (iCloud, Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

Cloud storage is a universal way of transferring data that doesn't require physical devices, but there are limitations to every service.

The Google Drive Guide (the most reliable option):

1. On your iPhone, install Google Drive and log in to your Google account.
2. Upload files to the cloud: Photo/video: Add → Download Contacts: export through Settings → Contacts → Export (.vcf file), then upload to Drive.

Xiaomi

Google

Files

Google Drive

Google

Settings → Accounts

Google Drive|iCloud|Yandex Disk|Mi Cloud|Other-->

Important: When uploading a photo to Google Photos in the “High Quality” (not “Original”) mode, the images are compressed to 16 MP. To avoid loss of quality, choose the “Original Quality” option (requires more space).

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Method 3: Physical connection via cable (for large amounts of data)

If you need to transfer tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, the fastest way is to connect your iPhone to Xiaomi via cable and copy files directly.

• 🔌 Lightning adapter → USB-C (or USB-A, If you are on Xiaomi microUSB connector).
• 💻 Computer (Mac or Windows) as an intermediary.
• 📁 The program for accessing iPhone files (iTunes, iMazing or Files App on Mac).

Instructions:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and unlock it.
2. On Mac: open Finder → select iPhone → go to Files tab. On Windows, use iTunes or iMazing.
3. Copy the necessary files (photos, videos, music) into a folder on your computer.
4. Connect Xiaomi to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
5. Transfer files from your computer to Xiaomi to your Internal Storage folder.

⚠️ Note: When you copy photos via iTunes or Finder, they are saved in format.HEIC, Not all Xiaomi devices support out of the box. To avoid problems, convert them to the box.JPG via Preview on Mac or online services.

💡

If you do not have an adapter, you can use wireless transmission via LocalSend (application for the application for the application). P2P-It works without the Internet and supports large files up to 10 GB at a time.

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5. Method 4: Transfer of contacts and messages through SIM-card

If you only need to transfer contacts and SMS, You can do without clouds and cables. Here are two simple methods:

Method 1: SIM-map (contact only)

1. On iPhone go to Settings → Contacts → Imports SIM-contact.
2. Select contacts for export and confirm copying to SIM.
3. Insert SIM into Xiaomi and import contacts through Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Import with SIM.

Limit: No more than 250 contacts are placed on the SIM, and only names and numbers are saved (without photos, emails and addresses).

Method 2: via.vcf (vCard)

1. On iPhone, export contacts: Open Contacts → Choose the right ones → Share → Export contacts. Send the.vcf file to your email or Telegram.

Xiaomi

.vcf

To transfer SMS and iMessage, you will need to use third-party applications like iSMS2droid (requires a backup of iTunes) or Backuptrans (paid Windows software).

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6. Method 5: Using Move to iOS (reverse port)

Apple’s Move to iOS app is designed to transfer data from Android to iPhone, but it can be used in reverse, with some caveats.

• 🔄 Temporarily return from iPhone to Android.
• 📱 You want to transfer only contacts, photos and accounts.
• ⚡ Ready for possible errors (unofficial method).

How it works:

1. On Xiaomi, reset the settings to factory (Settings → About Phone → Reset settings).
2. When you first start, select the Copy Data option and specify what you are copying from your iPhone.
3. On iPhone, download Move to iOS from the App Store and follow the instructions.
4. Connect to the temporary Wi-Fi network created by Xiaomi.
5. Select data to transfer (not working with all file types!).

⚠️ Note: This method may be stuck in the transfer phase or not fully portable. Do not use it if Xiaomi already has important information - resetting will delete it!

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7 What data can not be transferred from iPhone to Xiaomi and what to do

Not all types of data can be transferred directly between iOS and Android, but here are the main limitations and workarounds:

To transfer passwords from iCloud Keychain, export them to Chrome or Bitwarden:

1. On a Mac, open the Keychain (Programs → Utilities).
2. Select the passwords you need → File → Export → Save in.csv format.
3. Import the file to the password manager on Xiaomi.

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8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you migrate data from your iPhone to Xiaomi, users are faced with typical problems.

• 🚫 Mi Mover doesn't see iPhone: Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. VPN and firewall. Restart the app on both phones.

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If SMS stops coming to Xiaomi after the transfer, check if iMessage is disabled on the old iPhone. To do this, go to Settings → Messages and deactivate the option.

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FAQ: Answers to popular questions